The gasp-causing TV moment is now part of the "Stop the Texts. Stop the Wrecks" campaign that began in October 2011. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), drivers who read texts lose their focus for an average of 5 seconds, enough time to drive the length of a football field.

The NHTSA reports that 3,092 people were killed in 2010 as the result of distractions while driving, roughly one in every 10 national road deaths.

U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood said in a statement: "Young people across the country watch 'Glee,' and we're thrilled to partner with the show to spread the word that texting and driving don't mix. I thank the Ad Council, Ryan Murphy, and the cast of Glee for their continued efforts to raise awareness about this issue."

"This was a story we wanted to tell because we know the influence our show can have in starting conversations and raising awareness," Glee exec producer and co-creator Murphy's statement reads.

"We were inspired by Oprah Winfrey's campaign encouraging everyone to sign a pledge not to text and drive, which we all signed when we did her show a few years ago, and we had been looking for an opportunity to tell the story of how a few seconds of carelessness could have a devastating impact on people's lives."